Linux-Powered Amateur Rocket Goes USB

The next Portland State Aerospace Society rocket, scheduled for first launch this summer, will have new hardware, including a switch from CAN to USB.

Advanced LPC2148 USB Devices

This very simple code could be extended to make all sorts of USB
devices. The isochronous IN endpoint could send sensor data like
temperature, pressure or GPS readings. It also could send video,
still frames or audio data. It even could be hooked up to a motion
detector. The possibilities are endless with the Olimex's breakout board.

If you want to follow the Portland State Aerospace Society's development
of LPC2148 USB avionics sensor nodes, join the psas-avionics
list (see Resources).

PSAS hopes to do an airframe-only launch in Bend, Oregon, this summer. Our
goal is to have working USB avionics nodes and a working Linux flight
computer by October 2009. On October 2–4, the Arizona High Power Rocketry
Association hosts the BALLS amateur rocketry event. If you're at the
BALLS event in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, or if you're still hanging
around after Burning Man, stop by and say hello.

Sarah Sharp graduated from Portland State University in 2007, but
she continues to be an active member of the Portland State Aerospace Society.
Sarah currently works at Intel's Open Source Technology Center as a Linux
USB kernel hacker. Her blog can be found at sarah.thesharps.us.